Apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes and other footwear



. G. slMPsoN 3,098,301

July 23, 1963 w APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FEET FOR BOOTS, SHOES AND OTHER FOOTWEAR Filed Oct. 2,

H1- rr United States Patent O 3,098,301 APPARATUS FUR MEASURING FEET FR ROUES, SHDES AND OTHER FOTWEAR William Gordon Simpson, 15 Glemsrord Drive Harpenden, England Filed Oct. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 142,048 Claims priority, application Great Britain st. 3, 196@ 8 Claims. (Cl. 33-3) The invention relates to apparatus Ifo-r measuring feet for boots, shoes or other footwear.

In .the complete specication of Patent No. 2,793,439 there is described and claimed an apparatus for measuring lreet for boots, shoes yand other footwear and -for measuring the footwear, comprising la body portion, adjustable foo -gauging means mounted at one situation upon the body portion for gauging a dimension of a wearers foot and having la foot-gauging part movable with respect to the body portion, adjustable shoe-interior-gauging means mounted yat another situation upon .the body portion for gauging the corresponding internal dimension of a shoe and also having a shoe-gauging part mov-able with respect to the body portion, and operative connections extending along the body portion between the mov-able parts of the foot-gauging means and the shoe-interior-gauging means such that when the foot-gauging means is set to lit a wearers foot, the shoe-interior-gauging means is automatically set simultaneously to t the interior of a shoe of `the correct size `for that foot. There is also described such :apparatus comprising 1a girth band in the form of a loop of Iflexible material to 'encircle the foot, which loop is adjustable in size to fit closely around different peoples feet, the girth band being operatively connected to a slider movable as the band is adjusted to traverse a scale indicating measurements of girth.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes or other footwear which incorporates a girth measurement.

Another object of the invention is to provide in such apparatus a girth band having one end movable with the foot-gauging part and forming an open loop over a foot receiving space.

A further object of the invention is t-o provide in such apparatus fa girth band which is anchored to the footgauging part -or to the said body portion or to both the foot-gauging part and the said body portion.

Yet fa further object of the invention is to provide in such apparatus a girth band, one end of which girth band is initially adjustable so that vthe peripheral length of the yopen loop can be initially adjusted to suit the requirement-s of the person whose foot is to -be measured. Thus women normally need shoes tighter than men 'and this can be achieved by initial adjustment of the length before a girth measurement is made.

One embodiment of lthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a plan of a measuring apparatus on` the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a View in the direction of arrow 2 in FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 3 is a section on line 3 3 tof FIGURE 2.

'Ilhe apparatus is similar to that `described in Patent No. 2,793,439 but is modied to embody the present invention.

The apparatus comprises a carrier consisting of a plated metallic tube 11 which acts as a main framework. This tube 11 is slotted all along its Itop and has llanges 12 standing up from the slot an each side and being outwardly rolled yat their upper edges so as to provide a seating on which lie a pair of scale members 14 and 15, respectively marked on their upper edges in dimensions cor-re- Patented July 23, 1963 -sponding to the sizes of shoes or feet and on their side edges in American land Continental shoe sizes. The two scale members 14 and 15 are spaced apart trom one another so as to provide a parallel opening 16 between them above the slot in the tube 11. The opening -16 accommodates ya guide element 17 on a slider unit 18' which is cap'- able of sliding along the scale members -14 and 15, those member-s 14;-` and 15 providing guides for the slider unit. The slider unit 18 includes an opstanding pallet 19` at right angles to the scale members 14 and 15, which pallet 19 faces towards the en-d of the scales corresponding .to the smaller sizes of shoe. At that end of the scale members y1d and 15 there is provided a tment in the form of an upstanding heel engaging portion 21 which serves as la heel stop and which also serves to unite the scales and the metal tube at that end.

At the opposite end of the scale members from the heel engaging portion 21, the scale members 14 and 15 and tube 11 are united by a last-shaped member 22 comprising an angle part 23 terminating in 'a heel part 24. The sole 25 of the heel part 24 is .substantially at right angles to the length of the scale members (see FIGURE 2) The leading end 26 of the heel partis bifurcated land comprises `two cheeks 27 (see FIGURE l) which Iare spaced apart from one another to receive between them the stem 28 of a T-shaped toe-piece 29. The toe-piece 29 is connected to the slider unit 18 by three parallel lengths of resiliently flexible substantially inextensible spring rod 31 formed lfrom closed coi-1 wire. The three lengths of spring rod 31 are secured at one end to the toe-piece 29 and fare led between the ycheeks 27 of the |heel part 26 into the frame tube 11 `and thence `along this tube beneath the scale members 14 and 15 to .the slider unit 18 to which they are secured at their `other end by a hook shaped clampin-g member 32. Consequently as the slider -unit 18 is moved along the scale members 14 and 15 the toe-piece 29 is moved towards and away from the la-st-shaped member 22.

Two dependent plates 33 are secured to the pallet 19 and have cut-outs through which pass the scale members 14 `and 15. Two plates 34 are secured respectively to the inner edgesA of these dependent plates 33 below the scale members and extend along .the length .of the tube 11 towards the Iheel-piece 21. TrapeZoid-al section rods 35 at the upper edges of plates 34 engage in the rolled overpart of the flanges 12 to hold the plates 34 on the tube 11. A cross-plate 36 is secured to `the plates 34 at their end adjacent the heel-piece 21 and carries two cable iittings 37 |and 3S. These fittings 37 and 38 extend at right angles to the lengh of the scale members 14 and 15 on opposite sides .thereof and are spaced from the face yof the pallet 19 :by approximately the distance between the knuckle and the end of the great ytoe lot' the average foot. Each fitting comprises two parallel, spaced ups-tending plates 39 adhesively secured to the cross-plate 36. One fitting 37 is bridged by two small end plates 41 and 42 which form fa guide passage between them and the other iitting is bridged by a continuous pla-te 43 having three holes 44, 45 and 46 in it. It should now be apparent that the slider unit 18 preferably comprises the guide element 17, the pallet 19, the pair of dependent plates 33, plates 34, rods 35, the cross-plate 36, and cable fittings 37 and 38, or a suitable equivalent mechanism.

A girth band comprising a length of resiliently flexible, irl-extensible spring rod 47 is anchored in a block 48 secured to the :scale members .14 Iand 15 Vadjacent the lastvlike member 22. The spring rod 47 extends along the 3 bridge plate 43 of the other tting 38; Three small lugs 49 lare secured to the cross-plate 36 underneath those three apertures 44, 45 and 46 and provide retaining abutments to prevent the spring rod 47 from freeing itself under its own resilience `from the selected aperture.

The three apertures 44, 45 and 46 are provided to accommodate the feet of different categories of people. Thus the inner fhole 44 is utilised `for measuring childrens feet, the middle hole 45 for Iadult women and the third hole 46 is provided for adult men. A further adjustment to suit categories of people can be achieved by making the block 4S movable to pre-set positions e.g. the position 48a in FIGURE 2. Any convenient means may be provided to anchor the block 48 in position. Further the fitting 38 may be pivoted about a central axis (as shown in chain-dotted lines in FIGURE l) to give a further adjustment.

To use the `foregoing appliance, the slider unit 13 is moved along the scale members 14 and 15 a sufficient distance to provide a separation between the pallet 19 and the heel-piece 21 greater than the length of the persons foot. rPhe persons foot is then placed on .the lscale members 14 and i5 so that the heel touches the heel-piece 21. The slider unit 18 is then moved to carry the pallet `19 towards the persons `great toe. As the slider unit is moved in that direction the portion of the girth measuring spring rod 4-7' between its anchored end and the crossplate 36 increases and consequently the peripheral length of the girth measuring loop decreases. The slider 18 is therefore moved until either the girth measuring loop closely encircles and touches the persons foot or until the pallet 19 touches the persons great toe, whichever occurs first, the scale reading showing the size of shoe required by the person whose ifcot is being measured. 'Ihe appropriate girth measurement is obtained by the girth measure. The girth measure is employed as -a form of go-and-no-go gauge. Thus, where a size of shoe is selected the slider unit can be adjusted to that size and then the persons foot tested to see what fitting shoe is required. When the `block 48` is slidable 'as aforedescribed, the girth measuremet may conveniently be displayed on the scale extending along the length of the frame tube, an index mark being provided on the block 48 to register with that scale. It will thus be seen that the girth is measured in synchronism with the measurement .of the length of the foot.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing example. For instance the spring rod for measuring the girth of a foot may be replaced by a flat coil spring forming `an open loop over the foot-space and a tape Working in the spring and connected to the slider unit to increase yor decrease the peripheral length of the spring as the slider unit is moved. A device may `be secured to the underside of the scale members or lframe tube to which the free end of the girth measuring Iband can be secured when it is not required. Two girth measuring bands may be provided, one on each side of the frame tube. In this event one band may be set for child-rens feet and the other band may be set for adults feet. Alternatively both bands m-ay be set for childrens, or for adults feet. The band or bands `may be anchored to the cross-plate 36 and adjustably attached lat. its other end to the last-shaped member 22 e.g. to provide for feet of children in different age ranges. The cross-plate underlying the girth loop may bear a scale along its length from which the width of the foot being measured can be read. The present invention may also be applied to .platform-type foot-measuring apparatus such as is described in Patent No. 2,793,439.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes or other footwear comprising a carrier having a scale to show the size of the footwear required, a trnent on the carrier at one end of the scale to be engaged by the heel of a foot being measured, a slider unit mounted for sliding movement on the carrier towards and away from the fitment and comprising a pallet to engage the toe, and a girth band forming an open loop over the footreceiving-space between the trnent and the slider to rit over the foot, said band being carried at one position in its length by the carrier, being carried at another position in its length by the slider unit and being guided so that movement of the slider unit causes variation in the peripheral length of the open loop formed by the girth band.

2. Apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes or other footwear comprising a carrier having a scale to show the size of the footwear required, a titment on the carrier at one end of the scale to be engaged by the heel of a foot being measured, a slider unit mounted for sliding movement on the carrier towards and away from the tment, said slider unit having a pallet to engage the toe, and a girth band forming an open loop over the footreceiving-space between the trnent and the slider to fit over :the foot, said band being anchored at one position in its length to the carrier, being carried at another position in `its length by the slider unit and being guided so that movement of the slider unit causes variation in the peripheral length of the open loop formed by the girth band.

3. Apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes or other footwear comprising a carrier having a scale to show the size of the footwear required, a fument on the carrier at one end of the scale to be engaged by the heel of a foot being measured, a slider unit mounted for sliding movement on the carrier toward and away from the tment, said slider unit having a pallet to engage the toe, and a girth band forming an open loop over the foot-receiving-space between the tment and the slider to lit over the foot, said band being carried at one position in its length by the carrier, being anchored at another position in its length to the slider unit and being guided so that movement of the slider unit causes variation in the peripheral length of the open loop formed by the girth band.

4. Apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes or other `footwear comprising a carrier having a scale to show the size of the footwear required, a fitment on the carrier at one end of the scale to be engaged by the heel of a foot being measured, a slider unit mounted for sliding movement on the carrier towards and away from the tment, said slider unit having a pallet to engage the toe, a girth band forming an open loop over the foot-receiving-space between the ftment and the slider to iit over the foot, said band 'being carried at one position in its length by the carrier, bein-g carried at another position in its length by the slider unit and being guided so that movement of the slider unit causes variation in the peripheral length of the open loop formed by the girth band, and said apparatus having an adjustable connection for one end of said girth band for initially selecting the location of said end, so that the peripheral length of the open loop can be initially adjusted to suit the requirements of the person whose foot is to be measured.

5. Apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes or other footwear comprising a carrier having a scale to show the size of the footwear required, a tment on the carrier at one end of the scale to be engaged by the heel of a foot being measured, a slider unit mounted for sliding movement on the carrier towards and away from the titment, said slider unit having a pallet to engage the toe, a girth band forming an open loop over the footlreceiving-space between the itment and the slider to t over the foot, said band being carried at one position in its length by the carrier, being carried at another position in its length by the slider unit and being guided so that movement of the slider unit causes variation in the peripheral length of the open loop formed by the girth band, said slider unit further comprising a cross-plate extending below the foot receiving space at substantially right angles to the scale, connecting means for anchoring the girth 5 band to the cross-plate at said other position in its length and guide means for guiding the band between the aforesaid positions, the connecting means and guide means being carried by the cross-plate on opposite sides of the scale.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the connecting means comprises a block having three openings therein to receive and secure one end of the girth band.

7. Apparatus 'as claimed in claim 6 wherein the block is pivotally mounted on the cross-plate.

8. Apparatus for measuring feet for boots, shoes or other footwear comprising a carrier having a scale to show the ysize of the footwear required, a tment on the carrier at one end of the scale to be engaged by the heel of a foot being measured, a slider unit mounted for sliding movement on the carrier towards and away from the tment, said slider -unit having a pallet to engage the toe, and a girth band forming -an open loop over the foot-receivingspace between the tment and the slider to t over the foot, said band being secured at one position in its length to a block carried on and capable of being anchored to the carrier, .being carried at another position in its length 'by the slider unit -and being guided so that movement of the slider uni-t causes variation in the peripheral length of the open loop formed by the girth band.

No references cited. 

1. APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FEET FOR BOOTS, SHOES OR OTHER FOOTWEAR COMPRISING A CARRIER HAVING A SCALE TO SHOW THE SIZE OF THE FOOTWEAR REQUIRED, A FITMENT ON THE CARRIED AT ONE END OF THE SCALE TO BE ENGAGED BY THE HEEL OF A FOOT BEING MEASURED, A SLIDER UNIT MOUNTED FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT ON THE CARRIER TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM THE FITMENT AND COMPRISING AN OPEN LOOP OVER THE FOOTAND A GIRTH BAND FORMING AN OPEN LOOP OVER THE FOOTRECEIVING-SPACE BETWEEN THE FITMENT AND THE SLIDER TO FIT OVER THE FOOT, SAID BAND BEING CARRIED AT ONE POSITION IN ITS LENGTH BY THE CARRIER AT ANOTHER POSITION IN ITS LENGTH BY THE SLIDER UNIT AND BEING GUIDED SO THAT MOVEMENT OF THE SLIDER UNIT CAUSE VARIATION IN THE PERIPHERAL LENGTH OF THE OPEN LOOP FORMED BY THE GIRTH BAND. 